Patents Examined by Bridget Avery
  • Compressed air engine and motor vehicle
    Patent number: 8490738
    Abstract: A compressed air engine comprises a housing and an impeller body fixed on a primary power output shaft and located within the housing. An ejecting inlet ejects air to the impeller body in the housing. Working chambers are provided on the impeller body. The inner surface of the housing closes the working chambers so that the compressed air ejected to the working chambers pushes the impeller body to rotate and is temporarily stored in the working chamber, and an ejecting outlet is provided on the housing so that the compressed air temporarily stored in the working chamber expands outwards when the compressed air is rotated to the gas ejecting outlet and do work to further push the impeller body to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Yang Cong
  • Jamming resistant aero louver
    Patent number: 8485296
    Abstract: A louver for a vehicle includes a panel having a central portion and a first outer edge portion. A hinge interconnects the central portion and the first outer edge portion. The louver rotates about a rotation axis in a first direction from an open position to a closed position. The hinge bends to allow the first outer edge portion to move relative to the central portion to reduce an effective moment arm resisting rotational movement of the louver when the louver is bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Kerry A. Charnesky, Michael J. Sigelko, Bradley K. Rogers, Kyle C. Smith
  • Control device for electric rotating machine in hybrid-type power transmission
    Patent number: 8480535
    Abstract: A hybrid-type power transmission in which an internal combustion engine and an electric rotating machine are used as a source of power for driving an output shaft through a change-speed mechanism. In the hybrid power transmission, the operation of the electric rotating machine is controlled in such a manner that the rotation speed of a rotor-side rotary member is synchronized with the rotation speed of an input-side or output-side rotary member when the rotation speed of the rotor-side rotary member becomes higher in a predetermined difference than the rotation speed of the input-side or output-side rotary member in shifting operation of a sleeve coupled with the rotor-side rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Ai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Tanba, Kan Sasaki, Yousuke Hayashi, Yuichi Fukuhara
  • Heeling apparatus wheel assembly
    Patent number: 8480095
    Abstract: A heeling apparatus includes a shoe with a unique feature in the heel that allows one to walk, run, or roll seamlessly. The appearance is that of normal footwear because of the covert wheel assembly. The stealth wheel in the heel gives one the ability to roll or slide in areas you could only walk. Heeling is a new activity that employs a unique method of rolling and requires a newly learned skill set of balance, positioning, and coordination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Heeling Sports Limited
    Inventor: Roger R. Adams
  • Battery arrangement structure of vehicle
    Patent number: 8479858
    Abstract: In a vehicle which comprises an electric motor to drive front wheels and/or rear wheels of the vehicle, a battery to supply an electric power to the electric motor, a dash panel partitioning a vehicle-inside space from a vehicle-front side space located in front of the vehicle-inside space, a floor panel partitioning the vehicle-inside space from a vehicle outside located below the vehicle-inside space, and a tunnel portion provided at the floor panel so as to project upwardly toward an inside of the vehicle-inside space, the battery is arranged so that a front-side part thereof is positioned in front of the dash panel and a rear-side part thereof is positioned inside of the tunnel portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Accordingly, an appropriate weight balance of the vehicle between front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Kodaira
  • Wheelchair legrest assembly
    Patent number: 8474849
    Abstract: A powered wheelchair includes a seat assembly configured to support an individual, a curved legrest assembly pivotally connected to the seat assembly, and an adjustment assembly including an actuator operatively connected to the central column through a piston slidably secured within a sleeve. The adjustment assembly is secured underneath the seat assembly. The powered wheelchair may also include an extension bracket that allows legrests and a central column of the curved legrest assembly to be separately and independently adjusted with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Permobil AB
    Inventors: Bo Engman, Urban Lind, Niklas Backstrom, Jonas Jahkel, Mehdi Mirzaie
  • Compact folding long board
    Patent number: 8459670
    Abstract: A long board for street skating having an offset axial joint with a lower hinge support block on a front segment and a lower hinge support block on a rear segment having a hinge which folds the board in the direction of the upper surfaces of each segment, the offset joint allowing a first set of wheels to set behind a second set of wheels depending from each segment when in a folded position for a more compact profile, each lower hinge support block providing the hinge so that each front and rear segment are parallel in a stored and folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Vincenzo Tizzone
  • Exhaust device of vehicle and straddle-type four-wheeled vehicle provided with the same
    Patent number: 8443927
    Abstract: An exhaust device of a vehicle having a V-engine including a front cylinder and a rear cylinder, includes at least one muffler disposed in a rear part of the vehicle, a front-cylinder exhaust pipe which is connected to a front surface of the front cylinder and which reaches the muffler, and a rear-cylinder exhaust pipe which is connected to a rear surface of the rear cylinder and which reaches the muffler. The front-cylinder exhaust pipe is curved rearward at a curved portion from a connecting portion between the front-cylinder exhaust pipe and the front cylinder inward of the side frame in the lateral direction. The front-cylinder exhaust pipe is located outward in the lateral direction with a fixed space from the engine, and extends toward a rear part of the vehicle substantially along the side frame as viewed from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Orihashi, Masashi Fukuuchi, Atsushi Eto, Tamotsu Hatada, Ryosuke Masuike
  • Lightweight high load capacity folding utility cart with unique support structure and ergonomic handle
    Patent number: 8439374
    Abstract: A lightweight cart which weighs less than three pounds but has a structural design which enables the cart to retain and transport objects which weigh over one hundred and ten pounds. The cart can fold down to two inches for storage, a flat thickness which is at least one inch less thick than conventional foldup carts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Elden
  • Stroller trays and methods of mounting the same on strollers
    Patent number: 8424900
    Abstract: Stroller trays and methods of mounting the same on strollers are disclosed. An example stroller tray mates with a tray mount mounted to the stroller frame proximate a seat. The example tray includes a tray portion and an arm. The tray portion is cantilevered on the arm to extend in front of or over a portion of the seat. When mounted to the stroller, the stroller tray does not extend completely from one side of the stroller frame to the other to facilitate egress to the stroller seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine A. Ryan, Rachel Fine, Ross Carl, Chen Er-Jui, Iftinca Ioan Liviu, Matthew James Oblak, Wesley E. Thomas
  • Driving device for hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 8425375
    Abstract: A driving device for a hybrid vehicle including: an engine; an electric motor; a power combination/distribution mechanism which is disposed between both the engine and the electric motor and one pair of front wheels and rear wheels so as to combine and distribute power generated from the engine and the electric motor; and a transmission mechanism which is disposed between the engine and the other pair of the front wheels and the rear wheels, wherein the power combination/distribution mechanism is a planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear; an output shaft of the electric motor is connected to the carrier; and wherein rotational driving ranges in the electric motor are set to each of a normal rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Fukuda, Tetsurou Hamada, Yasuo Kitami
  • Winter sports gear comprising runners
    Patent number: 8419044
    Abstract: Winter sports gear, particularly an ice skate, include runners to which a sliding blade (3) is detachably connected. The sliding surface (1) of the sliding blade (3) is provided with at least one, in this case three, profiled grooves (4) that extend in the direction of travel. Bulge-type dams (5) extend on both sides of the profiled grooves (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Onyx-Systems Patentmanagement GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Würthner
  • Method and apparatus to perform asynchronous shifts with oncoming slipping clutch torque for a hybrid powertrain system
    Patent number: 8414449
    Abstract: A method to control a powertrain including a transmission, an engine, and an electric machine includes monitoring a desired transmission shift including an oncoming clutch, monitoring operational parameters of the powertrain, monitoring a maximum electric machine torque capacity, determining a desired output torque profile through the desired transmission shift, determining a maximum electric machine torque capability profile through the desired transmission shift based upon the maximum electric machine torque capacity and the operational parameters, comparing the desired output torque profile to the maximum electric machine torque capability profile, determining a preferred oncoming clutch torque profile through the desired transmission shift based upon the comparing, and executing a clutch assisted shift based upon the preferred oncoming clutch torque profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Motorcycle engine
    Patent number: 8413757
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided that includes intake system parts connected to a front side of a cylinder of an engine, and exhaust system parts connected to the rear side of the cylinder. The cylinder is inclined rearward, and the intake system parts are disposed forward and upward of the cylinder. A cylinder axial line C of the cylinder passes rearward of the motorcycle with respect to a lowermost portion of a seating face of a seat, as viewed in a side elevation of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidemichi Mori, Kazuhisa Takemoto, Tomio Onosato
  • Wheeled sport apparatus, as for training and recreation
    Patent number: 8398099
    Abstract: A wheeled sport apparatus may comprise a platform and first and second sets of wheels disposed on the platform. Each set of wheels may include a center wheel between two outboard wheels and the outboard wheels may be toed outward for defining a turning radius. One or more carrier wheels may be provided between the first and second sets of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Powdr-Woodward PA LLC
    Inventor: William Eric Edginton
  • Multiple-mode vehicle power system
    Patent number: 8397852
    Abstract: A vehicle power system includes a constant speed internal combustion engine coupled with an electrical generator for powering an electric motor coupled to the vehicle drive train. An air assist system also coupled to the drive train supplements the electric motor. The air assist system includes an air fan powered by diverted air flow during vehicle travel and by an engine driven air compressor during low vehicle speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Raymond Earl Perry
  • Golf bag cart foldable device
    Patent number: 8393633
    Abstract: A golf bag cart foldable device includes a bottom cart stand having a rear wheel frame at each side to link a rear wheel. The bottom cart stand has a bag base to link a front wheel. An upper cart stand is in pinned connection with the bottom cart stand. A linkage set, including plural linkages, forms links between the upper cart stand and the bottom cart stand and between the upper cart stand and the rear wheel frame. A folding joint enables release of the folding joint first. By the link between the linkage set and the rear wheel frame, simultaneous unfolding or folding of the upper cart stand, the bottom cart stand and the rear wheels can thus be accomplished. The folding joint is secured to have the upper cart stand and the bottom cart stand locked to each other, to achieve handiness in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Unique Product & Design Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gordon Liao
  • Electric vehicle
    Patent number: 8387728
    Abstract: An electric vehicle having good range and power is achieved by providing a vehicle having a motor side assembly and a power side assembly. A battery starts or activates a starter. The battery is connected to a direct current motor to start off or begin the engine function by activating a rear alternator. The rear alternator has three phases by using three hot lines, one neutral line, and one ground line. One hot line and the neutral are connected or will go to a transformer to bring the voltage to the correct voltage. From the transformer, the feed goes to an inverter, so the alternating current voltage is changed to a direct current voltage. This structure will feed the direct current motor for a continuous feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Harold Ray Larke
  • Vehicle hybrid energy system
    Patent number: 8381849
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage system suitable for use in a vehicle having an electrified drivetrain includes a first energy storage module and a second energy storage module that is different than the first energy storage module. The first energy storage module may have a cell configuration, a cell chemistry, a cell number, a controller or another characteristic different than a like characteristic of the second energy storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Ann M. Sastry, Kimberly A. Cook-Chennault, Chia W. Wang, Fabio Albano
  • Direct current drive land vehicle
    Patent number: 8376071
    Abstract: Land vehicle with electric brushless DC motors attached to planetary gear final drives of modular design controlled by an ECU “electronic control unit. Electrical power is supplied by removable modular battery packs on a roll out tray and/or an Enginator an ICE “Internal Combustion Engine” with a Generator in one integrated unit running on combustible fuel. The body of the vehicle having a universal electrical connector that connect the drive-by wire chassis components to control the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: John A. Lind